Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has declared Libya a strategic partner in the Mediterranean region, underscoring Rome’s commitment to closer cooperation with Tripoli on security and migration.
The announcement followed a meeting on Thursday at the Interior Ministry’s headquarters, the Viminale Palace, with Abdul Salam Al-Zoubi, Undersecretary of Defence in Libya’s Government of National Unity. The talks were also attended by Italy’s Police Chief Vittorio Pisani and Giovanni Caravelli, Director of the Italian External Intelligence and Security Agency (AISE).
In a statement, Piantedosi said that the continuous dialogue between Italy and Libya is essential to confront shared security challenges. He expressed hope that Libya’s UN-backed stabilisation process will progress peacefully with support from the international community.
The minister highlighted long-standing cooperation in managing migration and border control. He pointed to the regular meetings of the joint Italian-Libyan working group and joint projects funded by the European Union, which have been overseen by the Italian Interior Ministry. These projects aim to support border management and enhance regional stability.
The ministry noted that the discussions also focused on future initiatives, including multilateral efforts to combat organised crime and improve intelligence sharing. Such measures, Rome believes, are critical to tackling transnational threats and ensuring greater security across the Mediterranean.
Italy has consistently regarded Libya as a central player in Mediterranean security, particularly regarding irregular migration routes towards Europe. Thursday’s talks reinforced Rome’s view that closer collaboration with Tripoli is vital for both national and regional stability.
